Gin Martinis, Pasta with Pea Pesto, Graeter’s

Good morning. Thank you to everyone who sent along well wishes to Bean. I read every note to her and they were much appreciated. Other than spoiling her with attention, yesterday I planted the remainder of my tomato garden, and noticed some suspicious looking divots that were not there yesterday. (I cannot win.) While Andy mended the subsequently discovered holes in the fence’s netting, I broiled some more romaine and a version of this old detox soup for dinner. Phoebe made chocolate chip banana bread and watched Rolling Thunder Revue, the Scorsese-directed Bob Dylan documentary, while it baked. Later, I let myself feel the tiniest bit of cautious optimism about this news on vaccination research, because my global health expert friend, Ingrid told me I was allowed to. Here’s today’s PPP…

Pantry: Gin Martinis

If it’s Thursday, it must be time for my weekly cocktail dispatch. Today I’m going old-school and evergreen: Gin Martinis, maybe the easiest drink to make in the world. On the shaken-vs.-stirred debate, we are firmly on the shaken side, mostly because it yields a colder drink, and for us, cold is the name of the game. You want to fill up a shaker with ice, add your gin (2 1/2 ounces, we like Boodles) to 1/4 ounce part dry vermouth (we like Noilly Prat Extra Dry) then shake until it feels super frosty. Strain into two chilled coupe glasses (these are new!) and add a lemon twist. Ahhhhhhh

Pantry: Pasta with Minty Pea Pesto

I crave this dish as soon as the weather turns warm — it’s so easy and if you have mint, you probably have everything else you need lying in wait, including frozen peas which, in my experience, are sweeter than fresh ones 95% of the time. I keep forgetting to order mint or pick it up, so the dinner has yet to make its 2020 spring debut, but I plan to remedy this soon, maybe even with a dollop of ricotta on top.

Purpose: Graeter’s Delivery

My friend Rory used to send me a crate of Graeter’s ice cream on my birthday every year, and it was always the best gift, even though eventually, I could find Cincinnati’s finest in our local Whole Foods. There’s something just so awesome about a six-pack landing on your doorstep — especially if it includes at least one pint of Buckeye Blitz, like this one above, sent by one of Andy’s coworkers as a thank-you gift. (A few hours later, I picked up a box of sugar cones, which are far superior to bowls for ice cream enjoyment, and I dare you to disagree.) All this to say: If you’re looking for a way to express gratitude or love or birthday wishes to someone you miss, look no further.

Stay safe.

The goal of the Project, Pantry, Purpose series to keep us sane, distracted, and connected. Please continue to comment below with suggestions for recipes, projects (for kids and adults), good deeds, donation ideas, stories, movies, games, puzzles. Or just tell me how you’re doing, what your daily routine is, and especially how DALS can help you or people in your community. You can also email me directly at jenny@dinneralovestory.com.